- BGG rank
- BGG #1,098
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Outfoxed!
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #26,060
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Stealth Chess
1997
Rules assistance for Stealth Chess
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.7/5
Rules assistant for Stealth Chess
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Stealth Chess is a board game released in 1997 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. Its main mechanics are Square Grid, Memory, and Grid Movement.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,597
- BGG rating
- 6.6
La Marche du Crabe
- 2 players
- 10–15 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,160
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Clue
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 1949
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,224
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Dark Is the Night
- 2 players
- 1–15 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,378
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Volto
- 2 players
- 5 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,653
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Verona Twist
- 2 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #22,222
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Reflecto
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,120
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Stratego
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1946
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,360
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Ebbe & Flut
- 1–2 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2000
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,802
- BGG rating
- 7.2
TacTiki
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,886
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game
- 1–2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 1980
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,045
- BGG rating
- 5.6
Mission Command Land
- 2 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2003
About the game
Stealth Chess is a chess-under-imperfect-information variant, a kind of cross between chess and Stratego. In name and power, the pieces are standard chessmen, but they are shaped like Stratego pieces so that each player can only identify the pieces of his own army. At the start both sides arrange their armies any way they like on the first two ranks. Pawns are allowed to move two squares forward on either the first or second rank. The object is to capture the enemy King. The identity of a piece is revealed when it is captured. The official rules then call for the piece to be returned to its previous owner (off the board), facing away from its captor. Stealth Chess has the same pieces as conventional chess(16 Black & 16 White) but unlike traditional chess, all pieces look the same and have the pieces title printed on the back side so your only chance to win is to memorize the movement of your opponents and which piece was moved. This memory play helps with regular chess play by improving your memory. The game begins with pieces being randomly placed by each player in the first and second row of each side of the board. You decide the strategic possibilities of the placement of your pieces. For example, you might put your Queen front-row center and hide your King in a corner. The excitement begins with the first move. From that point forward, you must try to figure out your opponent's pieces by their movements and seek out and capture the King. Of course, you may "disguise" a powerful piece by moving it as if it were a mere Pawn--until you strike without warning. No check, no checkmate. Boom! Victory is yours. There are several different rule sets included that the players agree upon beforehand. The simplest is a standard opening position setup. You'll know which piece is which at the beginning of the game and the trick is to remember.
Categories
Publishers
- Eden Studios
- Dice Corp
Questions and answers
Stealth Chess supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Stealth Chess is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Stealth Chess for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Stealth Chess has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Stealth Chess belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Square Grid, Memory, and Grid Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Stealth Chess as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.